23 May 2018

happenstance

[hap-uh n-stans]

noun

1. a chance happening or event.

Origin of happenstance

1895-1900 First recorded in 1895-1900; happen + (circum)stance

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for happenstance

Contemporary Examples

All of these differences add up to make each planet unique, a product of happenstance and history.
The Best Map of Mars Yet
Matthew R. Francis
July 20, 2014

The success that followed 16 years later was a matter of happenstance, not of strategy.
Fool’s Gold
David Frum
February 13, 2013

Historical Examples

The German was just a happenstance, a castaway in the war for Arzachel.
First on the Moon
Jeff Sutton

But the happenstance habits of nature were steadily being integrated into the control program of man.
The Thirst Quenchers
Rick Raphael

Out of the chaos of happenstance they were finding rules of order, certain formulas of behavior, equations of force.
Empire
Clifford Donald Simak

This is contrasted to happenstance decision making based on impulsiveness and wishful thinking.
Sequential Problem Solving
Fredric Lozo

As for deceased, his ontimely evaporation that a-way is but the frootes of happenstance.
Faro Nell and Her Friends
Alfred Henry Lewis

Anagram

cheapen pants
panache spent
penchant peas
snap ten peach

Today’s quote

We are born of love; Love is our mother.

– Rumi

On this day

23 May 1568 – the Netherlands declares independence from Spain.

23 May 1934 – notorious bank robbers, Bonny Parker and Clyde Barrow, are killed in a shoot-out with police in Black Lake, Louisiana. Bonny and Clyde have been immortalised in songs and movies.

23 May 1944 – birth of John Newcombe, Australian tennis player.